Friday, May 25, 2012

Skanky Swimwear

Have you shopped for swim suits lately? Sasha needed a new suit this year and our super store had two options: Character or Skanky. "What," you ask, "skanky?" That's right. I have always had a problem with the idea of toddlers (and other young children) in bikinis. Is it just me? I think bikinis suggest a sexual image that should just not be placed on little girls! Come to think of it, though, I don't like much of the girls' clothes on the market.

I let Sasha choose between a few of the character one-piece suits available. She chose this one.

I will admit that there were some "tankinis" there as well and those do not bother me so much. Tankinis don't seem to carry as much of an adult connotation in my mind. I was tempted to get a tankini just to make bathroom trips easier (on me).

Even my teenager (13yo) has asked for a bikini this year, but she isn't actually due for a new suit yet. Her one-piece from last year should still fit. I like to let my children choose their clothing, but I will not have them out there slutting it up, luring pedophiles' attention.

What sort of swimsuit do your little girls wear?

The topic of characters on clothes is an entirely other possible rant. Another day, perhaps...

At home, I don't care if my daughter runs through the sprinkler in her underwear, or even nude. In public, she will wear a one piece or a tankini. She has both. No bikinis here! If she wants to wear one once she's....well I don't know...maybe 18? Fine, up to her :)

My daughter is 7 months. I had a super hard time finding a one piece bathing suit for her. The bikinis all had those triangle tops, and I thought it was super inappropriate! She has her whole life to wear bikinis, she doesn't need to start when she can get away with a cute ruffle one piece.

I think a naked kid is not sexualized like a kid in a bikini. when they are naked you can see the true shape of their tiny adorable bodies, but clothes are designed to mask your shape and make you look different.My friend bought Moira a bikini that doesn't even have straps. I can't imagine how it would stay up if she was standing still, let alone if she tried swimming. Of course, she saw it and wanted it right away, but it was too big. I just found it while unpacking and shuttled it into the giveaway box.

I'm planning to let my daughter wear only a bottom for at least the first few years. I'd rather see her running around looking like a little boy than wearing a bikini--I don't understand the point of hiding something that doesn't exist yet, except to make your kid look "sexy-cute." Not my idea of wise dressing.